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Committee backs bill to expand technical assistance under Healthy Soils program
Summary
AB 947 would broaden eligible technical assistance, allow equipment-sharing costs and increase flexibility for nonprofits working with farmers to access climate-smart grants; the committee passed the measure to Appropriations.
Assemblymember Connolly presented AB 947 to refine the Climate Smart/Healthy Soils technical-assistance program at CDFA based on farmer input. The bill would expand allowable technical assistance to include trainings, conservation planning, grant-writing support, matching-funding coordination, equipment-sharing costs and outcome monitoring, and would give CDFA flexibility to support farming nonprofits that provide assistance.
Brian Shobe of the California Climate and Agriculture Network testified in support, noting the program's role in helping a broader range of farms access state grants and the need for increased capacity as local NRCS offices lose staff. Several conservation and farmland groups also registered support in the hearing.
The committee voted to pass AB 947 to Appropriations. The roll call showed the bill had the votes needed to move forward.
